Haswell Review

Picking which CPUs to test was fairly straightforward: We went with the top-end Core i7-4770K, a Core i7-3770K, and to give people a perspective on how LGA2011 chips compare, a Core i7-3820. Even though it’s out of the price band of the three others, we also decided to test the hexa-core Core i7-3930K to show the quad-core boys what they’re missing, or not, by foregoing the two extra cores.

While differing sockets made it impossible to use identical motherboards for our tests, we at least stuck with one vendor in the hopes of achieving some uniformity. For LGA1155, we used an Asus P8Z77-V Premium, for LGA2011 an Asus Sabertooth X79, and Asus’s new Z87-Deluxe board for the LGA1150. Each motherboard was outfitted with 16GB of Corsair DDR3 clocked at 1,600MHz. All three systems were outfitted with identical 240GB Corsair Neutron GTX SSDs, which had the same firmware and were Trimmed before testing began. For graphics, matching GeForce GTX 580 cards were used, with the same driver on each. For OS, we used Windows 8.

The Results

As previously mentioned, in performance, Haswell doesn’t disappoint. For example, we ran Cinebench 10 across just one core to gauge the per-core performance. Haswell gave us about a 17 percent bump over Ivy Bridge. Against the older Sandy Bridge-E cores in the Core i7-3820, Haswell was about 30 percent faster.

In the other benchmarks, Haswell’s advantage remained constant, with the new CPU performing faster than Ivy Bridge in just about every category, and the margins widening against the Sandy Bridge-E chip.

For the most part, Haswell offers an 8 to 15 percent performance boost over Ivy Bridge. In the heavily threaded Premiere Pro CS6 test, Haswell enjoyed a 12 percent advantage. The same 12 percent advantage also popped up in our ProShow Producer test, which tops out at about four threads.

In a search for more real-world results, we decided to throw HDRsoft’s popular PhotoMatix at the CPU. We used a nine-shot RAW file from a Nikon D800 and ran a batch convert on it. From what we can tell, that particular load is heavily multithreaded and literally stops everything else while being run. Haswell pulled out a big win, processing the HDR about 22 percent faster than Ivy Bridge.

In the synthetic 3DMark gaming tests, both CPUs pulled even in the graphics test—no surprise. But in the physics test, Haswell again had a 10 percent gain over Ivy Bridge. In actual game engines, the difference between the two CPUs varied. We ran our tests at low quality and low resolutions to take the GPU out of the equation. In Dirt 3, we saw an astounding 34 percent difference between Haswell and Ivy Bridge, and in Total War: Shogun 2’s CPU test, a 10 percent gain. We could go on, but for the most part, Haswell is across-the-board faster. Part of the performance improvements come from Intel’s under-the-hood tweaks to the chip, but some of it also comes from the Turbo Boost modes. We monitored the chip’s clock speed in some tests and found that sometimes it would run at 4.1GHz for long stretches of time, while the Ivy Bridge chip hung back at 3.8GHz. Combining both the higher Turbo Boost speeds and the efficiency enhancements explains most of its wins against Ivy Bridge.

Haswell already has a leg up over Ivy Bridge, but up against the even older Sandy Bridge-E cores, it’s a bit of a slaughter. If you were to peg the advantage Haswell has over Sandy Bridge-E, we’d say it’s about 20 percent overall when its four cores versus four cores. The only advantage Sandy Bridge-E picks up is when you get to six cores. The Core i7-3930K has an advantage in heavily multithreaded tasks such as 3D rendering and video encoding. In gaming and apps that really can’t exploit all six cores of the Core i7-3930K, Haswell comes out on top.

What Should You Buy?

First, Haswell doesn’t invalidate Ivy Bridge systems. Machines built on Ivy Bridge are still quite fast and offer plenty of performance, but there’s simply no reason to build on an older-generation CPU with a dead socket (good luck getting another LGA1155 out of Intel) with an inferior chipset. Sorry, but that’s the truth, and we know some of you just built Ivy Bridge boxes, too, despite our warning you to wait a month or so.

When it comes to Haswell Core i7-4770K vs. Core i7-3820, it’s a bit more tricky. Haswell flat-out leaves quad-core Sandy Bridge-E in the dust. The only reason to even build a Core i7-3820 box at this point is with an eye toward future upgrades. Intel is expected to push out Ivy Bridge-E or Ivy Town CPUs later this year.

That’s pretty much our guidance for Core i7-3930K, too. The chip is almost twice as expensive as Core i7-4770K but if you work for a living pushing pixels in a 3D renderer, or video encoder, it’s worth it. If you can cut a four-hour video encode down to three hours with Core i7-3930K, you can work on other projects that pay, rather than wait. The only caveat is that Haswell’s higher clock and improved core can actually be as fast, even on multithreaded workloads. Peep our PhotoMatix test that saw the Core i7-4770K actually beat the six-core Core i7-3930K.

Despite all our negativity, we have to say, Haswell can still make us smile. We can’t help but wonder, though, as impressive as Haswell is in performance, what it could have been like if Intel had focused on making Haswell a purely desktop-enthusiast part. We fear those days are behind us, though.

Top Procs Compared

Benchmarks

Click the next page for Haswell vs Ivy Bridge comparison pics and to read about the new 8-series chipset.

Haswell uses the same 22nm process first used in Ivy Bridge. Intel typically introduces a new process with only minor die changes and reserves bigger moves for the second chip on new process technologies.

Comments

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Intel did what I thought AMD should have done a long time ago. STICK SOME DRAM ON THAT PACKAGE. Sure 128MB isn't that much, but this thing thrashes the AMD APU's because of little bit of extra bandwidth.
Now AMD, get off your ARSE and stick 256MB of GDDR5 on the package for your next APU so we don't have to wait for DDR4 3800Mhz before we get that type of performance.

Looks like I'll be sticking with my Ivy Bridge/Z77-based motherboards for the foreseeable future since most of the changes are architectural-based instead of performance-based. Besides I spent too much on my motherboards to give them up so soon (bought two of Asus's P8Z77-V Premium mainboards).

One thing that make it into the write up is how much longer Z77/LLG1155 will be around. I've seen information from vendors that show 1155 will still be carried as a product through at least this year which kind of explains the price delta between IVB and Haswell. With Sandy Bridge to Ivy Bridge the switch over was pretty quick. I will say that feedback from other vendors indicate most enthusiasts are already ready to roll on Haswell instead of Ivy Bridge. One vendor told me they had a new Z77 board design in the waiting in case people wanted it over Haswell but for the most part, everyone wants Haswell.

The big question here is will Intel roll out another LGA1156 part or is Core i7-3770K the end of the line? I asked the company that and the answer is they declined to comment. I'd take that to mean there may be more mid-range to lower end parts possibly, but I dont' think they'll push it higher than the 3770K part.

I am getting ready to build my next rigs and I think I am going to go with 2011, probably the 3930K. (I am still presently using I-7 920 DO) I will need add in GPU's anyway (running at 5760 X 1200) so the built in graphics are useless for me. I do not need six cores but if I am going to build high end rigs I want the six cores.
The new chips are exciting for my next Ultrabook or Tablet but not for my next gen workstation/gaming rigs.

I have a G50VT gaming laptop with a last generation (Penryn) Core 2 duo in it, an X9100 and can overclock it to 3.5GHZ.
I estimate that in single performance, the new Haswell CPUs aren't 2x the performance clock for clock. By Skylake they definitely will be though.
Then I think I'll buy myself a midrange CPU'ed 6-core Skylake laptop with midrange video card (so it's not too heavy). A nice big mSATA SSD and 6TB of hybrid hard drive.

Might wait for Skymont for 10nm to get higher loaded clocks on the 6-core CPU.

Well, I guess the enthusiasts hate Intel now, but I guess they felt the understandable need to match AMD with their processor-type offerings.

At a pure nerdy level, these are interesting processors that should open up very cool avenues for future performance computing. To boot, they offer performance for the lay-people that don't give a s**t about processing in the way that enthusiasts do. Nice Job!

This is a big step for Intel. Big steps don't have to be defined by more raw processor power making significant differences in speed. There is already enough speed out there anyways (until software catches up, that is)...

(repeat from another of my posts)
The i7-4770K is a letdown for the enthusiast desktop folks. The architecture was expressly designed for low power consuming devices and has an integrated voltage regulator (making the 4770K temperature a good 5-10C hotter than Ivy Bridge). Scaling Haswell up to the desktop 4770k has created a chip that runs very hot EVEN IN ITS DEFAULT CLOCK SETTING. Some folks are reporting 80C with stock clocking and a good air cooler under a heavy load or stress test, much higher than Ivy Bridge's i7-3770K (which is also thermally challenged).
Overclocking Haswell is therefore problematic and limited. Forget about 5.0GHz o/c results that were leaked. ASUS tested several dozen retail Haswells with air cooling and only one was stable at 4.6GHz and a few at 4.5GHz! The majority were 4.4 and 4.3 was pretty much always reachable. On WATER COOLING and a lot of tweaking the board, the maximum is 4.8GHz but 75% of the chips would only get to 4.5GHz. Luck of the draw on how good your chip does.
Note that most of the early o/c benchmarked chips by websites were selected by Intel and seem to do much better than retail chips (unusual for Intel to play that game).
Stock performance of Haswell over Ivy Bridge is good but with o/cing in mind, not worth it. If you have an overclocked i7-2600k SB or the i7-3770K IB, you have no good reason to upgrade.
No upgrade for me, and as everyone complains, I ALWAYS buy the best toys (just installed my GTX780 and Samsung 256GB 840 Pro last week).

You make some valid points John but for me they would be non-issues since I am currently running a 2500K, albeit overclocked to 4.4 Ghz. Even a 4770K oc'ed to only 4.0 Ghz would blow my system away. In reality, so would a 3770K. Just the step up from i5 to i7 would make a world of difference. But the bottom line for me is when I upgrade later this year it will be the Haswell CPU. However, I am concerned somewhat about the heat issues you mentioned. My system only warms up to 50 debrees C when I really push it now and that is on air cooling. I'd hate to think I would be forced to use water cooling. My CM Hyper 212 has served me well.

By the way, haw are you liking the Samsung 840 Pro? I've been drooling over one for several weeks now.

Best would be a GTX-Titan or GTX690 (at least in SLI) with LGA2011 i7-3970x cpu. You have a long way to go before you can call your system high end.

I do agree with your statement: Haswell is a complete letdown. We will have to wait on Haswell-E in LGA 2011 before we can judge it on an enthusiast level. Rumour goes it will be released same socket with a different chipset tho. Good news :).

Cheers

Just became a member here and read the dream PC 2012 thread. Wonder why they copied my set up -.-. Anyway great site. Wish I found it sooner.

Haswell is great for enthusiasts. While it's probably not worth it to upgrade from Ivy Bridge, it is still much better in terms of architecture efficiency. On top of the performance improvements, Haswell also brings more tools to the overclocking table, which is great.

The temperature is not an issue. It takes 30 seconds to delid, then maybe 15-30 to clean it off and apply CLU to the die. Throw the top back on and put water on it, and I'm better you'll be voltage bound just like on Ivy. Hell, I'm damn near voltage bound on Ivy with a mid range cooler (antec 620, chip is at 1.47v). And don't think delidding is difficult or even particularly risky with the vice method.

No, Haswell is not bad at all for ENTHUSIASTS. I'd even say that it's better than Ivy was compared to Sandy, although I haven't looked through the numbers.

The three i7-****HQ chips are the only ones featuring the Iris Pro that have been announced, as far as I know. Two of them have already launched. AnandTech has a pretty comprehensive review, and I'm quite impressed.

I would agree John, and I think that was part of Intel's decision not to offer the 4770R part in LGA1150. However, the company really looked like it took the enthusiast tech press' objections to that decision. It wasn't neccesarily the IGP we wanted, but the large L4 cache. I'd normally just figure it was said to get us to stop our bitching but it was an Intel higher up they had come downstairs to hear our requests so maybe it will happen.

SRT for RAM disks would be cool, but I'd think there'd be a problem interfacing with the RAMDisks as they are all likely different. With SRT and SATA, it's pretty standardized and Intel lays the plumbing to SATA. That can't be said of RAMdisks.

I've been building my new rig on paper for a while now and will do the build in January. I'm somewhat constrained financially but I can't resist the best. Considering that I do about as much video editing as gaming, I've been stuck thinking the 2011 board with quad-channel memory is the best route...that and a hexa core (3930k) :) Is this combination really a big deal? Or is haswell worth considering?

Do not buy a sandy bridge - E I73930k at this moment. Ivy Bridge-E is set to be released in september and will include the next generation LGA2011 processors. I understand you are impatient but waiting 3 months will garantee you a top end chip untill 2015.

The Haswell chips just released are all mid level chips meant for mobile computing. They are nerved for low power consumption. I would personally die before I let any of them get near my desktop rig.

obviously there are solo-socket motherboards and chipsets and processors available but all of them are 'gimped'

if you can't use or/and afford the dual sockets investment you're probably better off either building an eggcellent Ivy Bridge system or an upgrades-minded Haswell; either way, consider the Xeon-branded E3-1245 V2\V3 if you want integrated Gfx or the E3-1230 if you're only going for be using an SLI\CrossFire-compatible Z-series motherboard without processor-iGfx support
with those Xeon E3 processors you'll get identical silicon as the i7-3770 [V2] or i7-4770 [V3] but will often pay as much as $50 less than its consumer counterpart (usually only $10-$20 difference if any) AND get all of the server-sided processor featureset while only losing a couple tocks off the clockspeed for turbomodes

Of course, these Xeon chips generally require a different chipset than everyone else will be using. The $20-50 you save by going with a Xeon instead of an i7 is going to be completely blown by the extra $70+ you have to spend to get a compatible motherboard. The cost only goes up if the motherboard you select requires ECC RAM.

Brother suggested the Xeon E3-1245 as well. Comment made about the saving being blown by chipset (or BIOS) incapability are practical.

So far I've only found Asus P9D WS, which is a verified compatible board and the ASRock Z87 Extreme6 motherboard. Which a kind newegg reviewer confirmed as working on the E3-1245V3 review. I need at least one PCI legacy slot for my Audigy2 sound card.

Despite the review, I'm hesitating on the ASRock Z87 Extreme6, because of possible BIOS limitations.

How can I confirm any other compatible mother boards with regards to chipset and BIOS support?